Get Road Trip Ready With Cargo-Wrangling Gear

Family road trips are all about making memories, but let’s face it, keeping an entire family’s worth of gear tidy and organized is not for the faint of heart. Even in the roomiest 3-row SUVs, it doesn’t take long for the cargo-area to reach critical mass. And when the day inevitably comes that your rear-view mirror is blocked by mounds of stuffed animals, sleeping bags, and granola bars, you’ll definitely be wishing you could just magically make more cargo space. Lucky for you, with the right cargo-management gear, more room for your next family trip doesn’t have to be a fairy tale.

1. Hitch-Mounted Cargo Carriers

If you’re packing for a family trip, a hitch-mounted cargo carrier is a total game-changer. It’s perfect for hauling bulky gear like coolers, camping supplies, or strollers—without the hassle of lifting everything onto the roof. Plus, it keeps your gear easy to access, which is a lifesaver for busy parents and anyone who doesn’t want to wrestle with hard-to-reach storage. Whether you’re heading to the campground or hitting the road for a weekend getaway, a hitch carrier makes packing simpler and smoother.

Our Top Pick:

The etrailer Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches (24"x60)

The etrailer Cargo Carrier is a go-to favorite for families who need extra space for their adventures. With its sturdy steel construction, it can handle up to 500 lbs of gear, so it’s perfect for everything from coolers to camping equipment. The folding design is a lifesaver when you need to store it away, and the elevated side walls keep your cargo safe and contained. Plus, the open mesh bottom makes cleanup easy by letting dirt and debris fall right through. Pair it with the new Benton HotMesh Cargo Net, and you’ve got the ultimate setup for secure, hassle-free packing.

2. Cargo Nets

No matter what kind of cargo carrier you use, you’ll still need a way to strap everything down. And with a high-quality cargo net, you can say goodbye to tangled piles of bungee cords and ratchet straps, and hello to no-fuss security. With flexible, wrap-around designs, cargo nets can adjust to fit just about everything (we’re talking duffel bags, sports equipment, strollers, coolers, camping gear). And thanks to secure buckles and tie downs, everything stays in place, no matter how bumpy the road gets.

Our Top Pick:

The Benton HotMesh Cargo Net

The Benton HotMesh Cargo Net is the gold standard in reliable and easy-to-use cargo net design. Constructed from ultra-durable reinforced mesh, this cargo net gently hugs your cargo in place, keeping everything held fast, without crushing your more fragile gear. Combining the durability of ratchet straps with the full coverage of a net, the HotMesh delivers unmatched stability and peace of mind. It even offers a layer of light protection against debris and weather, keeping your gear in top shape for whatever adventures you’ve got in store. And when the trip is over, the HotMesh is a breeze to stow away, folding down neatly into its included storage bag. Designed specifically for 24x60 hitch-mounted cargo carriers, it ensures a perfect fit without the extra bulk of a “one size fits all” cargo net.

3. Roof-Mounted Cargo Boxes

If hitch-mounted cargo storage isn’t calling your name, a roof-mounted cargo box is a smart and secure way to add storage without sacrificing passenger comfort. It’s perfect for stashing luggage, camping gear, or sports equipment, keeping your cabin clutter-free. Not to mention, cargo boxes offer superior resistance to weather and debris, so you never have to worry about pulling-up to your destination with a bunch of soggy luggage. Roof boxes are especially handy for items you won’t need to grab often during the trip, so you can pack smarter, and focus on enjoying the ride.

Our Top Pick:

The Benton ShellRaiser Roof Cargo Box

Another top pick from the Benton brand, the ShellRaiser Roof Cargo Box is a new option on the market, and it’s a fantastic choice for families on the go. With 8 cubic feet of storage capacity, it's perfect for stowing luggage, camping gear, or sports equipment, keeping your vehicle nice and clutter-free (so your back-seat passengers will still have lots of legroom for those mid-drive naps). The dual-side opening lid offers convenient access from either side of your vehicle, making loading and unloading a breeze. Its aerodynamic design helps reduce wind resistance and noise, ensuring a smooth and quiet ride. And with its durable ABS plastic construction, the ShellRaiser is built to take on tough weather.

4. Cargo Area Protectors

Let’s face it: packing up for a family adventure often means you’ll be hauling muddy boots, dripping coolers, sandy beach toys, and a trunk full of gear that’s just seen better days. That’s where cargo area protectors come in. They keep your floor clean, shield your interior from spills, grime, and pet hair, and help keep your cargo area organized. No matter what “souvenirs” your family brings back home, a good cargo area protector keeps the mess under control.

Our Top Pick:

The etrailer Cargo Area Protector

This versatile cargo area protector offers ample coverage for your full sized SUV or crossover. Built from Durable, waterproof polyester, it’s tailor-made to handle messy and heavy-duty gear. The intuitive three-piece design covers your seat back, trunk floor, and bumper, giving you complete coverage where you want it the most. With adjustable straps and buckles to wrap securely around the rear-row headrests, installation is a piece of cake. And the adventure is over, just hose your tarp down, and it’s as good as new.

5. Cargo Organizers and Pockets

Cargo organizers are the often-overlooked, unsung heroes of long family trips. When you’ve got everybody’s stuff all jumbled together in the backseat, finding what you need right when you need it can feel downright impossible. But with the added organization of a storage pocket, you never need to worry about dumping out duffle bags, digging through grocery sacks, and wondering if you really did pack everything you meant to.

Our Top Pick:

The etrailer Backseat Organizer

The etrailer Backseat Organizer is a total game-changer for family trips. With multiple compartments to store all your travel must-haves (think snacks, water bottles, toys, and gadgets), you’ve got plenty of packing space to work with. Thanks to high visibility mesh pockets, you never have to wonder where your essentials are hiding out. Whether you’re on a long road trip or just taking a quick ride to soccer practice, the etrailer Backseat Organizer will help you cut down on car-ride chaos.

6. SUV Storage Drawers

For families who plan to travel often or for longer stretches of time, SUV storage drawers are a total lifesaver. These pull-out compartments make organization a breeze, giving you secure, accessible, multi-level storage for everything you could possibly want to pack. Nobody wants to spend their road trip digging through cramped piles of messy bags and bins. When you need serious organization and storage, there’s nothing better than an SUV storage drawer.

Our Top Pick:

The Yakima MOD HomeBase SUV Storage Drawer

The Yakima MOD HomeBase SUV Storage Drawer is a must-have for families who love hitting the road. Measuring 33-1/2" long by 36" wide, this drawer offers ample space to keep your gear, groceries, and travel essentials neatly organized. Its modular design means you can access your items without the hassle of unpacking everything else (perfect for those spontaneous roadside snack breaks when you’ve got a grumpy passenger who needs their fruit snacks RIGHT NOW). Built-in attachment points on top let you tailor your setup to your exact needs, so you can add extra drawers, crates, and totes (and not worry about them sliding all over the place).

The right cargo management solutions can’t quiet your hungry toddler or magically locate a missing stuffed animal (we wish!), but they can make those moments a whole lot easier to manage. With the right gear, you can rest easy knowing all your road-trip essentials are packed away, safe and sound.

About Izzy B.

My journey with etrailer has had a number of twists and turns. I first started here in 2019 as a Summer Intern with our Content Department. I ended up enjoying the experience so much, that I came back to work at etrailer during several academic breaks throughout my college years. After some time away, I returned last Spring to work at our main warehouse, first as a Picker, and eventually on our Audit Team. Then, at the start of 2024, I was offered the chance to come aboard etrailer's Marketing Department, as a Writer for the Shopping Guide Team. Now, I help our neighbors by creating informational content to aid their shopping experience, ensuring they find the info, products, and solutions they need to get their own journeys underway!